Oxford University researchers are to establish a national registry to track individuals at risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
The measure is targeted at those who test positive for diabetes autoantibodies – proteins that indicate potential pancreatic damage and possible future diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
The University of Oxford, in a collaborative initiative led by Dr Rachel Besser and involving multiple universities nationwide, will develop a database, and a website for people to join the registry.
Ms Besser said: "This registry is a first for the UK and brings together children and adults who are at risk of type 1 diabetes.
"It is an important step towards a better understanding of the care and support people at high risk of type 1 require, allowing us to offer them a 'softer landing' into life with the condition."
The registry will be funded by a grant of £610,480 from Diabetes UK.
The expectation is for enrolment into the registry to star later this year.
The registry aims to share information about upcoming treatments and opportunities for participation in research, such as trials of immunotherapy treatments.
Dr Loredana Marcovecchio, co-lead for the project, said: "We're hoping that it will be easier to tell people about opportunities to take part in research to develop new treatments that might prevent or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes."
It also seeks to delve deeper into the implications of being at high risk of type 1 diabetes, and subsequently develop supportive resources to mitigate associated anxiety and worry.
Further, it aims to provide insights to doctors about optimal care strategies for at-risk individuals.
It will also seek to understand the progression from being in the risk circle of type 1 diabetes to dependence on insulin.
Finally, the ambition is to ascertain whether being at risk moves individuals more towards GP or A&E services.
Dr Lucy Chambers from Diabetes UK added: "We're delighted to fund the UK-Islet Antibody registry and hope that it will offer a better future for children and adults identified as being at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
"With innovative treatments that can delay or entirely prevent the development of type 1 diabetes on the horizon, the registry will play an important role in readying the UK for the next era of type 1 therapies."
It is estimated that half the people who have positive autoantibodies are no longer being followed up as they are not involved in research studies.
This means there is limited understanding of what it is like to live with being autoantibody positive and what kind of support is needed.
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